Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told reporters the tot and a sibling have been vacationing at the hotel with their parents, from Nebraska.

He said more than 50 law enforcement personnel were taking part in the search, in helicopters and boats, as was an alligator trapper. Sonar equipment was brought in. Dive teams were on standby.

A Disney spokesperson told reporters Disney is "devastated" by the incident.

Demings said witnesses told authorities the boy was with his family, playing in about a foot of water when the gator, described as 4 to 6 or 7 feet long, suddenly grabbed him. The boy's father ran into the water to try to help, and his mother may have as well, to no avail, as lifeguards were alerted.

There were "No swimming" signs at the scene, Demings said.

ORLANDO (CBSMiami) – A young child has been dragged into the water by an alligator near a Disney resort, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office

The Orlando Sentinel reports the child, who is about 2-year-old, was dragged into the Seven Seas Lagoon about 9:30 p.m.

Deputies have taped off the waters near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as they continue searching.

According to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Rose Silva, the child has not been found. It’s unclear if the child or his family were guests at the hotel.